Controversial Christianity

*Disclaimer: My blogs purpose is to write about my thoughts on the things I experience in life. Whether it be music, motherhood, church or God, this blog is my OPINION and should never be taken as fact, news or prophetic. Sure it may contain those things at times, but please use your discretion and discernment on the things I say. I would hate to think that someone is steered in a wrong direction because of a feeling I have. My goal is to open the minds of people and hopefully get you thinking about the things YOU feel and experience.
I’m never telling you what to think or do.

I love being a Christian for 1 reason and 1 reason alone: my personal relationship with God. In my opinion, the rest of it is hard, confusing, controversial, sometimes hypocritical and I’d give it all up if I lost the relationship that is the sole basis of who I am and why I live the way that I do. More and more I hear the reason people don’t want to become a Christian is because of Christians. Very rarely do I hear it’s because of God. So that leads me to the frustration that I’ve had building inside of me for…well…years now.

I believe in following the entire bible as much as I possibly can. I believe it’s part of my reverence for God; to follow his word. It’s part of that relationship. Many things I choose not to do are part of my relationship with God. Whether it be not watching a certain TV show or controlling my emotions. Loving the people that are hard to love or tithing my hard earned money.

But I have a problem with the Christian culture that seems to have developed. The things that are hypocritical to many people. For instance, it’s not okay to curse, but it is okay to say another word in place of the curse, and say it with the same attitude and emotion. I understand, many times the word itself has a bad meaning, but how can so many people ignore the fact that the attitude and emotion for saying that word in the first place is still there? Do they really think by saying “dang it” or “frick” God says “oh okay, no problem, as long as you said your Christian word while letting your anger take over you”? Why isn’t it okay to drink 1 beer but it’s okay to obsessively drink Starbucks? Why are R rated movies okay to watch if it’s horror or killing but not okay to watch if there is sexual humor? Why is it inappropriate for guys to flirt with girls but it’s okay for girls to wear clothes that catch a guy’s attention? Why is it okay for any person to write a book based on their interpretation of a scripture and sell it for profit but not for a poorly looking person in the congregation to get up and say what they interpret a scripture to be without getting a “and who are you to speak” look? Why do Christians believe that being a nice person and showing everyone love but never saying why will lead others to Jesus when there are nice Atheists out there doing the same? Why is it okay to practically worship a Contemporary Christian artist or band?

I could go on but I won’t. Maybe you have answers to some of these questions. Maybe you think I’m crazy or cynical. Maybe you agree with me. But here’s my point in all of this frustration. It really comes down to 2 questions. DO YOU BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR YOUR SINS? DO YOU BELIEVE THERE IS A GOD THAT WANTS TO KNOW YOU? To me, that’s all that really matters at the end of the day. I’ve learned to do my own thing. I love being a part of my church. I love my Christian friends. And I love reading Christian books. But with all things I put God and the bible first. I’m not going to take what a man says as fact. Scripture misquoted and misleading is as bad to me as any other sin in the bible. The condition of my heart, soul and mind are much too important to let anyone but God control them.